Latino Jobless Rate Jumps To 12.7% In May

The official “seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate for Latino workers in the United States increased jumped from 11.3% to 12.7% between April 2009 and May 2009, according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

The official “seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate for white male workers also increased from 8.5% to 9% between April 2009 and May 2009.

For all U.S. workers, the “seasonally adjusted” jobless rate increased from 8.9% to 9.4% between April 2009 and May 2009.

The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate for Black female workers over 20 years-of-age also increased from 10.5% to 11.1% between April 2009 and May 2009; and the official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate for all Black workers increased from 14.4% to 14.7% during this same period.

The official “seasonally adjusted” rate for all Black male workers over 20 years-of age was still 16.8% in May 2009.

The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate for Black youth between 16 and 19 years-of-age increased from 33.5% to 40.1% between April 2009 and May 2009, while the “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate for Hispanic or Latino youth increased from 26.5% to 31% during this same period. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate for white youth between 16 and 19 years-of-age also increased from 18.8% to 21.1% between April 2009 and May 2009.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ June 5, 2009 press release:

“…Employment fell by 345,000 in May…Steep job losses continued in manufacturing…

“The number of unemployed persons increased by 787,000 to 14.5 million in May…

“The number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) increased by 268,000 over the month…